Chapter Twenty-Nine
Looking around the restaurant table, Juliette wanted to laugh at the strangeness of it all: the fact she was sitting beside Nico, opposite her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, and they were chatting away as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
Their children were there too, and her brother Andrew with his partner, Rachel.
It might have been any happy family gathering, and actually, that’s exactly what it was.
Juliette had to admit that Coral was largely responsible for making things easy, although she’d been so apprehensive about meeting her.
‘You’ll see what she’s like,’ Ben had said, back in the spring, and what was that supposed to mean?
But now she understood. Coral was unexpectedly charming, once you got used to her.
She was striking, with a mass of wavy white-grey hair bundled up in a scarf and a flamboyant sense of style; that evening she was wearing black harem pants with a cerise T-shirt, chunky orange beads and matching earrings, and a broad silver cuff on her wrist. Her make-up was expertly applied: smoky grey shadow to enhance her blue eyes and bright pink lipstick that didn’t budge no matter what she ate or drank.
Juliette had been wary at first, naturally, but Coral reached out a hand to shake hers and said with such disarming honesty how happy she was to have been invited, and that she hoped they’d be able to get along even though the situation might be a little awkward, that she was immediately won over.
Coral was definitely a radiator, not a drain; she loved everything.
Arles was the most awesome place imaginable, she adored the hotel, this restaurant was incredible, and they were all about to have the best week of their lives.
Kevin caught Juliette’s eye while she talked, rocked back a little on his heels and smiled bashfully, as if to say, ‘I know! Haven’t I done well? ’
He’d undergone a style transformation since the last time she’d seen him, a couple of years before.
Gone were the monogrammed polo shirts and tasselled loafers; now he wore a pale linen suit with a T-shirt underneath and retro suede sneakers.
His hair was artfully tousled and his complexion looked so much healthier: tanned rather than florid.
‘You’re looking great, Kevin,’ Juliette said, when she could get a word in edgeways.
‘Thanks,’ he replied, ‘you too. How are you doing, Nico? Good to see you again.’ And he and Juliette smiled at each other in relieved acknowledgement that maybe this was going to work, and the next few days might turn out to be manageable.
Emily, however, was watching her father with a more ambivalent expression.
She’d taken her parents’ breakup harder than Ben and had only seen Kevin a couple of times in the States; this was the first time she’d met Coral.
But now the drinks were arriving and Kevin was proposing a toast to Ben – Sophie was spending time with her family that evening, as a bunch of cousins had arrived from Alsace – and hopefully alcohol would smooth things along.
‘Actually, Rae and I have some news to celebrate, too,’ Andrew said, scratching his head.
‘Wait, are you getting married as well?’ Juliette asked, turning to Rachel.
‘No, it’s not that,’ Rachel said shyly. ‘In fact, we’re having a baby.’ She gestured to her glass. ‘That’s why I’m drinking orange juice.’
‘A baby!’ Juliette’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening. ‘A baby? Seriously?’
‘It’s not the kind of thing to make a joke about,’ Andrew said.
Nico was sitting next to Rachel. ‘Well, that’s the best news ever,’ he said, kissing her cheeks three times. ‘Congratulations!’
‘Of course!’ Juliette turned to hug her brother and kiss Rachel too. ‘It’s amazing. I just can’t believe it.’
‘Because I’m so old, you mean?’ he asked. ‘Lots of men are having babies later in life. Look at George Clooney.’
Everyone began talking at once, embracing Andrew and Rachel and anyone who happened to be within reach, and Kevin proposed another toast amid the hubbub.
‘We don’t want to steal your thunder,’ Rachel said, turning to Ben. ‘The baby’s due in March so it’s early days, but this seemed a perfect time to break the news, what with everyone being together.’
‘Are you kidding?’ he replied. ‘I’m only too happy to share the limelight. Love you guys.’
‘We really do,’ Emily added.
Both she and her brother had become close to Andrew over the years.
He hadn’t been especially interested when they were babies, but once they could hold a conversation, he’d take them off on inappropriate outings – too risky, or too sugar-heavy, or too extravagant – and spend hours playing video games with them.
Because he was a techie, he always had the latest gadgets, and he talked to the children as adults, which they appreciated.
And everyone liked Rachel; it was hard not to.
‘So maybe you’ll be following us down the aisle,’ Ben said to her.
‘I’m not sure about that,’ she replied, smiling. ‘One thing at a time.’
‘My brother, having a baby,’ Juliette said, shaking her head. ‘Jeez, I wish Mom were alive to see it.’
‘Oh, this is just magical,’ Coral sighed, with tears in her eyes. ‘Vin, thank you for bringing me to meet your wonderful family. I feel truly blessed.’
‘Excuse me?’ Andrew spluttered. ‘Vin? What’s that all about?’
Coral shrugged. ‘Well, he’s not really a Kevin, is he? I mean, come on . . .’ She waved a hand in Kevin/not Kevin’s direction while he beamed at them all, quite unembarrassed. Emily’s face was a picture, and none of them could think what to say.
‘So, shall I just run through the order of events?’ Ben asked, to fill the silence.
Their civil ceremony would take place at the town hall in Arles in a couple of days’ time on the Friday, followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant, and the church service and reception at Sophie’s parents’ house would be held on Saturday.
‘And tomorrow evening, everyone’s invited to my place for a pot-luck picnic supper, so both sides of the family can get to know each other,’ Juliette added. ‘More of a free-for-all than a rehearsal dinner – very relaxed.’
‘Talking of supper, maybe we should order some food,’ Kevin said. ‘Jet lag’s kicked in and I’m starving.’
The ice was well and truly broken, and conversation flowed over dinner.
Coral chatted to Ben and Emily for much of the time, and Juliette appreciated the fact she wanted to get to know them.
From the snippets she overheard, she gleaned that Coral was an artist who worked in acrylics, and that she’d always wanted to come to Provence because of her love for Van Gogh.
She didn’t talk exclusively about herself, though: she seemed genuinely interested in Emily’s work, and in how Ben and Sophie had met, and their plans for the future.
After everyone had finished their entrée, Juliette left for the bathroom. ‘I’ll come too,’ Emily said, throwing down her napkin.
Once the restroom door was closed behind them, Juliette turned to her daughter. ‘Well? What do you think?’
‘About Uncle Andrew and the baby? I’m so happy, I could cry.’
‘Oh sure, me too,’ Juliette said quickly. ‘But also, Coral.’
Emily widened her eyes. ‘Oh my God, Mom – she’s intense.’
‘She is, isn’t she? I like her, though. And she’s really making an effort.’
‘Sure, you can’t fault her for that,’ Emily agreed. ‘But “Vin”? Seriously? Dad might not be a Kevin, but he sure as hell isn’t a Vin either.’
‘Oh, I’m not so sure. You don’t think there’s something of Vin Diesel about him?’ Juliette felt the laughter bubble up inside her.
Emily was giggling too. ‘Or since we’re in Provence, perhaps a hint of Vin Gogh?’ And now they were doubled over with mirth.
At last Juliette pulled herself together, straightened up and tidied her hair. ‘Well, I’m glad she’s here, and I’m glad your father’s happy.’
Emily sighed, leaning against the basin. ‘What is it?’ Juliette asked.
‘I can’t help wondering whether he deserves to be. I mean, he cheated on you and turned our lives upside down and now here he is, all fine and dandy in his linen suit with a new girlfriend like nothing’s happened.’
Juliette cupped her daughter’s cheek for a moment.
‘I don’t think that’s fair. You and Ben are the most important people in his life and he knows how easily he could have lost you.
Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve forgiven him and maybe you should too – or at least tell him you’re finding it difficult. We all need to move on.’
Emily held a paper towel under the faucet to tackle her smudged mascara. ‘Perhaps you’re right. And speaking of moving on, you’ll be glad to hear Nico definitely gets my seal of approval.’
‘Really?’ Juliette flushed with pleasure. ‘That’s great, honey.’
‘Yeah, he’s a good one,’ Emily told her. ‘And you certainly don’t need to worry about Delphine. I’ve heard the way he talks to her and, while he’s trying to be kind, you can tell he thinks she’s really annoying. Which she is.’
‘Yes. Poor Delphine,’ Juliette replied. Then she caught Emily’s eye in the mirror and now they were laughing again.
‘By the way,’ she added, when they were ready to go back into the restaurant, ‘any time you feel like talking about Hannah, I’d be more than happy to listen.’
‘Mom!’ Emily shot her a warning glance. ‘Enough, already.’
The pot-luck picnic was Juliette’s way of playing her part in the wedding.
She’d spent a lot of time at Jean and Véronique’s house over the past few days, helping with little jobs like writing place cards and putting together the favours (lavender bags made from squares of bright Provencal cotton, tied with ribbon), and she and Kevin were paying for the Vin d’Honneur: the traditional drinks reception directly after the church service.
(‘How appropriate,’ Emily said, when she found out.
‘You and Vin hosting the vin.’ Although they agreed that joke had probably run its course.)